Four reasons why the Miami Dolphins should sign Plaxico Burress (and three why they shouldn’t)

In our latest installment of “Which Free Agents Should the Dolphins Sign? (Because We Have Nothing Else to Talk About During the Lockout),” we turn our attention to former Giants receiver Plaxico Burress, who was released yesterday from a New York prison and returned home to Fort Lauderdale to resume his life and football career.

Should the Dolphins pursue Burress, who will be 34 in August? Let’s break it down.

WHY THEY SHOULD SIGN PLAXICO BURRESS

1. His skillset is exactly what the Dolphins were missing in 2010.

The Dolphins’ offense struggled mightily in 2010, finishing 30th in the league in points (17.1 per game) and 21st in total yards. The Dolphins had just four passing plays over 40 yards all season (tied for 27th) and the top three wide receivers (Brandon Marshall, Davone Bess and Brian Hartline) combined for nine touchdown catches in 42 total games.

The Dolphins didn’t have a vertical threat after trading away Ted Ginn – “There’s no question about it – we need speed,” offensive coordinator Dan Henning said at the end of the season – and they didn’t have a big body to catch jump balls in the Red Zone. Marshall may stand 6-foot-4, but fade routes and jump balls weren’t his thing. He’s really a slot receiver trapped in a tight end’s body.

“If you study things that I’ve been able to do in the NFL, fades really haven’t been my staple play in the red zone,” Marshall said after the Week 3 loss to the Jets.

Enter Plaxico Burress.

First, the man knows how to stretch the field. Look at his average stats from his last three full seasons (2005-07) compared to the Dolphins’ top three receivers in 2010. Burress far surpasses them in every downfield passing metric:

Second, Burress stands 6-foot-5, and the man knows how to use his body to catch fade passes.

The Dolphins addressed the speed issue in the draft by selecting Edmond Gates in the fourth round, but Burress is a proven threat in the Red Zone and vertical passing game who would also open up the field for the other receivers.

2. He can contribute immediately as a situational receiver.

We’re not advocating that the Dolphins, or any team, sign Burress with the expectation that he be an immediate starting receiver. Two years locked up in prison makes it tough to project how Burress will fare in his first year back.

But several observers believe Burress can have much more of an immediate impact in his first year out of prison than did Michael Vick, who sat on the bench for a year in Philly. Vick’s position requires intense mental preparation and film study, to read defenses and find open receivers. All Burress has to do is run in a straight line, jump and catch the football.

“Plaxico is playing the easiest position as a returning position that there is on the offensive side,” ESPN analyst and former Pro Bowl receiver Cris Carter said Monday. “I believe his transition can be very quick, especially because he’s already established himself on the league.”

The Dolphins, or any team that signs him, shouldn’t expect Burress to play 60-70 snaps per game. But Burress can still have a major impact with 10-20 snaps, particularly in the Red Zone.

3. He fits the team’s “win now” credo.

The Dolphins’ coach and general manager face a lot of pressure to win this year after two straight disappointing 7-9 seasons. Their first four draft picks in April were made with that in mind – the team chose safe, immediate contributors like center Mike Pouncey and running back Daniel Thomas instead of gambling on a project at quarterback or receiver.

Burress, though likely on the downside of his career, certainly could help the Dolphins “win now” in 2011. The Dolphins have three young receivers competing for the fifth receiver spot – Marlon Moore, Roberto Wallace and Julius Pruitt. While it is nice to develop young receivers, is there any question that Burress, even with a two-year hiatus, is a much better receiver than all three youngsters?

If Tony Sparano and Jeff Ireland are concerned about losing their jobs with a disappointing 2011 season, choosing Burress as their fourth or fifth receiver over Moore, Wallace or Pruitt wouldn’t be the worst decision. Plus, it would allow Gates a little more time to acclimate himself to the NFL game, instead of being thrown into the mix immediately.

4. Other reasons to consider Burress:

His contract likely won’t be burdensome – two to three years at most, and likely incentive-based. … He likely will be on his best behavior and appreciate his second chance, much like Vick did. … He lives in Lighthouse Point, and being in a comfortable environment, living at home with his family, could help him thrive. … The Dolphins could use another veteran receiver. Marshall, 28, is the oldest. … He can serve as insurance in case Marshall faces any disciplinary action from the league for the April stabbing incident.

WHY THEY SHOULDN’T SIGN BURRESS

1. He’s not the young Plaxico Burress anymore.

Burress was perhaps showing signs of old age before the gun incident. In 10 games in 2008, he caught just 35 passes for 454 yards and four touchdowns, with zero catches over 40 yards. Maybe it was just a down year, or maybe Burress, drafted in 2000, was starting to slow down after nine NFL seasons.

Should the Dolphins make the call to Plaxico? / Getty Images

Now consider that he hasn’t played football since November 2008. And for the past two years he’s been locked away in prison, which doesn’t exactly have a health club-style gym on premises. Who knows what type of player Burress will be in 2011, and if he can withstand the grind of an NFL season at age 34?

2. The Dolphins may have a lot of competition for his services.

Though Burress and Vick both spent a couple years in prison, the comparison ends there. Vick was mostly untouchable after his release, because of the public outrage against his dogfighting activities. The Eagles had to consider the moral consequences before adding him to their team.

Burress, though, comes with no such baggage. If anything, he is seen as a sympathetic figure – forced to serve a Draconian punishment for an accidental crime that hurt no one but himself.

“There are going to be multiple teams interested in signing him,” agent Drew Rosenhaus said Monday.

Many prognosticators predict Burress will land with the Rams, who are desperate to find young quarterback Sam Bradford a No. 1 receiver. The Cleveland Browns similarly need a top target for Colt McCoy. Other teams already being tangentially linked to Burress by the media: Eagles, Redskins, Jets, Seahawks and, yes, Giants.

But several teams will look at Burress. And that could drive his price up too high for the Dolphins’ liking.

3. The Dolphins already have one troubled receiver on the roster in Marshall.

Marshall is enough of a headache for the team. He threw temper tantrums on the sideline at the end of the season, and got in yet another highly-publicized domestic dispute with his wife.

The last thing the Dolphins need is another diva receiver. And Burress has shown some diva-like tendencies throughout his career.

In May 2004, the Steelers suspended him for failing to show to a Monday practice. In 2008, Burress held out of training camp because of his contract, was suspended for an October game for violating team rules and fined $45,000 in late October for berating an official and throwing a football into the stands.

The Dolphins pride themselves on locker room harmony, and adding Burress could upset that balance.

VERDICT

Burress is mostly an enigma. Can he regain his 2005-07 form at age 34? Was he starting to slip in 2008? Will two-plus years away from the game be too much to overcome? Can he stay out of trouble?

But if the price isn’t too high, and the Dolphins can sign him to a short-term, incentive-laden contract, then he’s definitely worth the risk. Win now, baby.